On Friday, I had the opportunity to attend the stimulating brown bag discussion posted below about how “America goes to war.” The discussion was informed, of course, by the threats, discussions, and negotiations of the past two weeks with regard to Syria.
Some of the questions discussed were: How did the United States become the “voice” of the international community? Do Americans oppose military intervention in Syria because of the economy and their own self-interest, or is there a re-evaluation happening regarding the principles and benefits of peace? What is the relationship between American involvement in Libya, and the lack of support for a military intervention in Syria? Can another war be sold on “moral and humanitarian” grounds, after what we have witnessed in Iraq and Afghanistan? How has the idea of the “homeland” grown to include the whole world?
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The Center for American Studies and Research (CASAR) How Does America Go to War? “America and the International Community,” Dr. Vijay Prashad, Edward Said Chair of American Studies, CASAR “Securing the ‘Homeland,” “What Happens When the Majority of Americans Oppose a War?,” This is the first of a series of open discussions regarding the nature, projection, and limits of America in the world. Presentations will be brief and intended to generate discussion with audience members. We welcome suggestions from faculty across AUB who would like to participate in a future CASAR brown bag event. |
